“Many a man may look respectable, and yet be able to hide at will behind a spiral staircase.”
Sunset at Blandings (1977 (posthumously published))
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P.G. Wodehouse 302
English author 1881–1975Related quotes

Reg. v. Swendsen (1702), 14 How. St. Tr. 596.

“There's nothing honerable in a man who hides behind a blue woman's hanky.”
Source: Erak's Ransom

“"A real man should die in front of the ranks, not hide behind a wall!"”
Statement in 191 at Battle of Jieqiao. Yuan Shao and his halberdsmen, surrounded by enemy cavalry, refuses to take refuge. He is said to have thrown off his helmet as he said this. Source: "Yingxiong Ji" (英雄記), page 193-194 of Sanguo Zhi.

Narrator, p. 168
Sharpe (Novel Series), Sharpe's Enemy (1984)

“Spirit of the staircase" or "Staircase inspiration”
L'esprit de l'escalier
This phrase is a famous allusion to the witty remarks one thinks of when it is too late, as when one is leaving a meeting and going down the stairs. Paradoxe sur le Comédien (1773-1777)

“Ignorance often hides behind an attitude.”
Original: L’ignoranza spesso si nasconde dietro un atteggiamento.
Source: prevale.net